Spokesman Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss and Neturei Karta spiritual leader, RabbiMoshe Dov Beck of Neturei Karta International, a group of Orthodox Jewsopposed to Zionism and the establishment of the state of Israel.

According to Neturei Karta's interpretation of the Torah, the concept of a sovereignJewish state is contrary to Jewish Law. Neturei Karta believers contend that theexpulsion of the Jewish people from the land of Israel was divine punishment fortheir sins. They believe that redemption and the re-establishment of a Jewish statecan only take place “by the Almighty Himself, without any human intervention,through the coming of the Messiah.” They hold that Zionism transformed Jewishidentity from its religious orientation to a nationalist political movement involving“land conquest and military prowess void of Godliness.”Officially founded in 1938 in Jerusalem, today there are several Neturei Karta establishmentsin Brooklyn and upstate New York. Neturei Karta members believe that“contemporary sovereignty over the Holy Land belongs to those who have lived therefor centuries - the Palestinians.” As part of their complete rejection of Zionism, adherentshave traveled in support of the Palestinians, including meeting with leaders inIran, Yemen, and Lebanon. Neturei Karta is Aramaic for Guardians of the City.